Under the Clean Water Act, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit is required to discharge dredge or fill material into wetlands. The permit requirement is designed to minimize the destruction of wetlands, which serve a number of critical environmental and economic functions, including flood control, water filtration, wildlife habitat, and recreation.

According to EPA=s complaint, the cited parties did not have a permit before filling in about 8 3/4 acres of wetlands in May and October 2001. These wetlands, which are headwaters of the Nansemond and James river systems, were filled with dirt, sand blast grit and mulch to create a road through the J&J property.

EPA seeks a total penalty of $32,500 against J&J, Rountree, and JSW. These parties may request a hearing to contest the alleged violation and proposed penalty.